DMX control, explained
How lighting desks talk to foggers and lights.
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What it is
DMX512 is a control standard used for stage lighting and effects. The ESTA guide describes DMX512 as carrying up to 512 channels on one line.
Levels
The guide describes levels as a series of up to 256 steps from zero to full.
Wiring
The guide describes devices with input and pass-through connectors that can be daisy-chained, and a terminator resistor at the far end of the line. It calls missing termination probably the most common cause of problems.
For a fog machine
Which channels control what is in your machine's manual.
Sources: ESTA, Recommended Practice for DMX512.
FAQ
General information only. Follow your machine's manual and the label on any fluid. Fog and haze can set off smoke alarms and make it hard to see. Never disable an alarm. Check the venue's or building's rules before you use any effect. Dry ice can cause frostbite and gives off carbon dioxide, which can build up in low or enclosed spaces. Never touch it with bare hands, never seal it in a container, use it only with good ventilation, and keep it away from children and pets. Anyone with asthma or another breathing condition should ask a doctor before being around fog, haze, or dry ice effects.
Next: how to use one
Setup, warm-up, heat.
